TW201403332A - System supporting dual host apparatuses to access interface apparatus and power management method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A system supporting dual host apparatuses to access an interface apparatus and a power management method thereof are provided. The system comprises a first host apparatus, a second host apparatus, and at least one interface apparatus. The at least one interface apparatus is serially connected between the first host apparatus and the second host apparatus and each interface apparatus comprises a register for recording a semaphore. When one of the first host apparatus and the second host apparatus accesses the interface apparatus, it first checks the semaphore recorded in the register of each interface apparatus, and accordingly closes a data link between the interface apparatus and the other one of the first host apparatus and the second host apparatus and resumes an execution mode of the interface apparatus to a normal operation mode for performing data access.

Description

System supporting dual-master device access interface device and power management thereof method

The present invention relates to a data transmission system and a power management method thereof, and more particularly to a system for supporting a dual master device to access the same interface device and a power management method thereof.

In order to have a common power management interface between the operating system (OS) and the hardware, Microsoft and Intel proposed an Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI). The standard, which can replace the basic input/output system (BIOS) to manage the power supply according to the interaction between the user and the operating system, thereby increasing the efficiency of power management. Among them, when the OS finds that some parts of the computer are not used, it will reduce or remove its function to save power.

The ACPI standard is one of the main technologies in the Operating System-Directed Power Management (OSPM) model. It mainly provides three runtime components such as ACPI table, ACPI register and ACPI BIOS. In the OSPM model, the OS can directly convert power states to all devices. In general, the OS refers to the application settings or the user's settings as the basis for entering the power saving mode, and then uses the above ACPI components to control the power state of the device.

The power status of the above devices can mainly distinguish the following four types: D0: fully open, the device can fully respond and work normally; D1: save part of the power supply, different devices can have different specifications; D2: in addition to saving power, it will also turn off some device functions to further save power, different devices can be different Specification; D3: Remove the power from the device and completely turn off the power of the device. Generally, it takes a long time to restart the device.

Different devices usually have different power saving states, and the switching of these power states can be switched through the device driver or software. Generally, the device driver sends commands to the device to switch its operating mode. However, the above power management method is limited to switching some devices in the device, but cannot be extended to switch some devices in the entire data system to achieve data access of the dual interface device to the same interface device.

In view of the above, the present invention provides a system for supporting a dual master device access interface device and a power management method thereof, which support the dual master device to access the same interface by adjusting the power state of the device during a runtime phase. The device can achieve power saving effect.

The invention provides a system for supporting a dual master access interface device, which comprises a first master device, a second master device and at least one interface device. The interface device is daisy-chained between the first main control device and the second main control device, and each interface device includes a temporary register for recording a semaphore. When the first master device and the second When one of the master devices accesses the interface device, the semaphore recorded in the register of each interface device is first checked, so that the other of the first master device and the second master device are The data link between the interface devices is turned off, and the execution mode of the interface device is returned to the normal operation mode for data access.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the first main control device or the second main control device stops accessing the interface device, the semaphore is modified to be unattended, and the execution mode of the interface device is switched to the execution phase. (runtime D3) mode.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the first main control device needs to access the interface device and the semaphore viewed is unattended, the semaphore is modified to be used by the first main control device, and The execution mode of the interface device is returned to the normal operation mode for data access to the interface device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the second main control device needs to access the interface device and the semaphore viewed is unattended, the semaphore is modified to be used by the second main control device, and The execution mode of the interface device is returned to the normal operation mode for data access to the interface device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the access priority of the first master device is higher than that of the second master device. Wherein, when the first main control device wants to access the interface device and the semaphore viewed is used by the second main control device, the semaphore is modified to be used by the first main control device to connect the second main control device and the interface. The data link between the devices is closed, and after the data link is closed, the semaphore is modified to be used by the first master device to access the interface device; and when the second master device is to access the interface device and The slogan of the inspection is When the first master device is in use, the data access to the interface device is stopped.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first main control device is connected in series with the interface device via a transmission interface supporting dual channel data transmission, and transmits data through the first channel and the second channel provided by the transmission interface. Wherein, the transmission interface is a lightning interface.

In an embodiment of the invention, the interface device includes a first type of interface device adapted to transmit data using the first channel, and a second type of interface device adapted to transmit data using the second channel.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second main control device is serially connected to the first type interface device and the second type interface device via a transmission interface, and is switched according to the data access requirement. Data routing between the interface-like device and the second type of interface device to transmit data through the first channel and the first type of interface device, or to transmit data through the second channel and the second type of interface device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the interface device comprises a graphics processing device, a display device, a storage device or a burning device.

The present invention provides a power management method for a system supporting a dual master device access interface device, which is applicable to a system including a first master device, at least one interface device, and a second master device that are daisy-chained in series, wherein Each interface device includes a register for recording semaphores. The method is to view the semaphore recorded in the temporary register of each interface device when one of the first main control device and the second main control device needs to access the interface device, so that the first main control device and the second device are The data link between the other of the main control devices and the interface device is turned off, and the execution mode of the interface device is restored to normal operation. Mode for data access. When the first master device or the second master device stops accessing the interface device, the semaphore is modified to be unattended, and the execution mode of the interface device is switched to the execution phase off mode.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the first main control device needs to access the interface device and the semaphore viewed is unattended, the semaphore is modified to be used by the first main control device, and the interface is used. The execution mode of the device is returned to the normal mode of operation for data access to the interface device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the second main control device needs to access the interface device and the semaphore viewed is unattended, the semaphore is modified to be used by the second main control device, and the interface device is The execution mode is restored to the normal operation mode for data access to the interface device.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first main control device is connected in series with the interface device via a transmission interface supporting dual channel data transmission, and transmits data through the first channel and the second channel provided by the transmission interface. Wherein, the transmission interface is a lightning interface.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the power management method further includes: switching, by the second master device, at least one of the first type interface devices and the at least one second type interface device in the interface device according to the data access requirement. Data routing between the first channel and the first type of interface device, or through the second channel and the second type of interface device, wherein the first type of interface device is adapted to use the first channel to transmit data, and The second type of interface device is adapted to transmit data using the second channel.

In an embodiment of the invention, the interface device comprises a graphics processing device, a display device, a storage device or a burning device.

Based on the above, the system for supporting the dual master device access interface device and the power management method thereof provide the dual master device for data access to the interface device serially connected thereto. Wherein, by recording the current state of use on the interface device, whenever there is a master device to access the interface device, it is determined according to the semaphore whether to close the data link between the interface device and another master device, thereby The interface device performs data access; and when the access ends, the control interface device enters an execution phase shutdown (runtime D3) mode to save power. Thereby, the present invention can not only support the dual master device to access the same interface device, but also achieve power saving effect.

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

The technology of the execution phase shutdown (Runtime D3) provides the operating system to access the device's execution mode to the normal operating mode within 300 milliseconds when the power of a device is completely turned off. The present invention is intended to be applied to a system comprising two master devices such that both master devices can access the interface devices connected in series. Wherein, whenever there is a master device that needs to access the interface device, the semaphore recorded in the interface device is accessed first, and the interface between the interface device and another master device is closed according to the interface device. The execution mode is switched to the normal operation mode, and then the interface device can be accessed; when the main control device ends the access, the execution mode of the interface device is switched to the execution phase shutdown mode to wait for the next access of the main control device. To achieve power saving effect.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control platform for performing an execution phase shutdown according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , the control platform 10 of the present embodiment includes a Platform Controller Hub (PCH) 12 and a controlled device 14 . The platform control unit 12 is, for example, a south bridge chip responsible for controlling various I/O and storage interfaces, and includes a main power control pin DevN_Core_PwCtl, an auxiliary power control pin DevN_Aux_PwCtl, a device reset pin DevN_Reset#, and a device wake-up pin DevN_Wake#. The controlled device 14 is, for example, a device in the device or a stand-alone device including a main power pin VDD_Core, an auxiliary power pin VDD_Aux, a reset pin Reset#, and a wake-up pin Wake#. The main power control pin DevN_Core_PwCtl and the auxiliary power control pin DevN_Aux_PwCtl of the platform control unit 12 are respectively coupled to the control terminals of the switches 16 and 18, thereby controlling the power supply V of the main power pin VDD_Core and the auxiliary power pin VDD_Aux supplied to the controlled device 14. _DD . With the above architecture, functions such as Always on, always connected (AOAC) and fast reply can be realized.

First embodiment

2 is a block diagram of a system for supporting a dual master access interface device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the system 20 of the present embodiment includes a first main control device 22, a second main control device 24, and a daisy chain connection between the first main control device 22 and the second main control device 24. Interface device 26.

The first main control device 22 and the second main control device 24 are, for example, desktop power Terminal devices such as brains, notebook computers, workstations, etc., including a processor and various input and output interfaces, can connect peripheral devices and process programs executed by the user. The first main control device 22 and the second main control device 24 may further include storage devices such as a memory or a hard disk, and may store programs or other materials executed by the processor. In an embodiment, the first main control device 22 is, for example, a user's notebook computer, and can provide a user at the local end to access the data in the interface device 26; the second main control device 24 is, for example, a cloud. The server has a network connection function, and the remote user can access the data in the interface device 26 through the network, and there is no limit here.

The first main control device 22 includes a controller 222 and an interface port 224 connected in series with the interface device 26 via a transmission interface (ie, serially connected to the interface 264 of the interface device 26 through the interface 224) for transmitting data; The main control device 24 includes a controller 242 and interfaces 244, 246 connected in series with the interface device 26 via a transmission interface (i.e., through the interface 244 and the interface 266 of the interface device 26) for transmitting data.

The interface device 26 is, for example, a graphics processing device, a display device, a storage device, a burning device, or other types of peripheral devices, including a controller 262, interfaces 264, 266, and a register 268. The controller 262 is connected to the interface 埠 224 of the first main control device 22 and the interfaces 244 and 246 of the second main control device 24 through the interfaces 264 and 266 respectively, and the interface 埠 264, 266 and the A master device 22 and a second master device 24 transmit data. The register 268 is used, for example, to record a semaphore, which provides access to the first master device 22 and the second master device 24 for controlling and accessing the interface device 26.

When one of the first master device 22 and the second master device 24 needs to access the interface device 26, for example, a general purpose input/output (GPIO) that is not used in the transmission interface. The pins are used to view the semaphores recorded in the register 268 of the interface device 26, whereby the data link between the other of the first master device 22 and the second master device 24 and the interface device 26 is closed. Interface device 26 is activated for data access.

In more detail, FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a power management method for a system for supporting a dual master device access interface device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the power management method of the present embodiment is applicable to the system 20 of the above embodiment. Hereinafter, the components of the system 20 are combined to describe the detailed steps of the power management method: when the first master device 22 and the second When one of the main control devices 24 wants to access the interface device 26, the semaphore recorded in the register 268 of the interface device 26 is first checked, and accordingly, the first main control device 22 and the second main control device 24 are The data link between the other device and the interface device 26 is turned off, and the interface device 26 is activated for data access (step S302). The first master device 22 and the second master device 24 restore the execution mode of the interface device 26 to the normal operation mode for data access, for example.

On the other hand, when the first master device 22 or the second master device 24 stops accessing the interface device 26, the semaphore recorded in the register 268 of the interface device 26 is modified to be unattended, and the interface device is controlled. 26 enters the execution phase shutdown mode (step S304) to wait for the next access. The first main control device 22 and the second main control device 24 are, for example, the above FIG. 1 The control platform architecture is controlled by the platform control unit (not shown) to control the interface device 26 to enter the execution phase shutdown mode or to return to the normal operation mode by the execution phase shutdown mode.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the semaphore recorded in the register 268 of the interface device 26 is further divided into logic 00 for unattended use; logic 01 for the first master device; logic 11 for the second master device. The logic 10 represents four types of use by the second master device but the first master device is preferentially used, and is accessible to the first master device 22 and the second master device 24 to determine subsequent actions. The semaphore type corresponding to the above logical signal is merely an example, and is not limited thereto.

When the first master device 22 wants to access the interface device 26, if the semaphore it is inspected is unattended (ie, logic 00), the semaphore is modified to be used by the first master device 22 (ie, logic 01). And returning the execution mode of the interface device 26 to the normal operation mode for data access to the interface device 26; and when the second host device 24 is to access the interface device 26, if the semaphore viewed is When no one is used (ie, logic 00), the semaphore is modified to be used by the second master device 24 (ie, logic 11), and the execution mode of the interface device 26 is returned to the normal operation mode to perform data on the interface device 26. access.

It should be noted that the embodiment may further define the access priority of the first master device 22 and the second master device 24, so that the access priority of the first master device 22 is higher than that of the second master device. twenty four. Accordingly, whenever the first master device 22 or the second master device 24 wants to access the data of the interface device 26, if the interface device 26 is not used (ie, logic 00), it can be directly called. Awakening the interface device 26 for data access; if the interface device 26 is already in use (ie, logic 01 or 11), the access priority is further compared to determine whether the first master device 22 or the second master is to be used. Device 24 performs data access to interface device 26.

For example, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are schematic diagrams of state machines of the first and second main control devices according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The access priority of the first master device is higher than that of the second master device. Referring first to FIG. 4, the state machine 40 of the present embodiment is applied to the first master device 22 in the above embodiment. First, when the first master device 22 wants to access the interface device (ie, there is activity) and needs to return the execution mode of the interface device 26 from the execution phase off mode (RTD3) to the normal operation mode (D0), it will enter In the flow to the left of FIG. 4, the first master device 22 accesses the semaphore recorded in the register 268 of the interface device 26.

Wherein, when the semaphore viewed is unattended (ie, logic 00) or used by the first master device (ie, logic 01), the first master device 22 modifies the semaphore to be used by the first master device ( That is, logic 01), thereby returning the execution mode of the interface device 26 from the execution phase off mode (RTD3) to the normal operation mode (D1) for data access; when the viewed semaphore is the second master device When used (ie, logic 11), the first master device 22 will modify this semaphore to be used by the second master device but the first master device is used preferentially (ie, logic 10) to control the interface device 26 to use the right. Returned to the first master device 22; when the flagged semaphore is used by the second master device but the first master device is used preferentially (ie, logic 10), then the representative interface device 26 has not returned the usage right to the first Master device 22, at this time The first master device 22 will continue to view the semaphore until the interface device 26 returns the usage right to the first master device 22, and then the semaphore is modified to be used by the first master device (ie, logic 01), thereby The execution mode of the interface device 26 is returned from the execution phase off mode (RTD3) to the normal operation mode (D0) for data access. Wherein, when the interface device 26 returns to the normal operation mode (D0), and the data is accessed by the first main control device 22, the first main control device 22 continuously determines whether the access operation is finished, if the access action is still If the activity is continued, the interface device 26 is maintained in the normal operation mode (D0); if the access operation is stopped, the flow proceeds to the right side of FIG.

When the first master device 22 stops accessing the interface device (ie, there is no activity) and needs to switch the execution mode of the interface device 26 from the normal operation mode (D0) to the execution phase off mode (RTD3), it will enter the right side of FIG. The flow of the semaphore recorded in the register 268 of the interface device 26 is accessed by the first master device 22. Wherein, when the viewed semaphore is unattended (ie, logic 00) or the second master device is used (ie, logic 11), the first master device 22 will execute the mode of operation of the interface device 26 from the normal operation mode (D0). Switching to the execution phase off mode (RTD3); when the flagged semaphore is used by the first master device (ie, logic 01), the first master device 22 modifies the semaphore to be unattended (ie, logic 00) And the execution mode of the interface device 26 is switched from the normal operation mode (D1) to the execution phase off mode (RTD3); when the viewed semaphore is used by the second master device, but the first master device is used preferentially (ie, logic 10), the first master device 22 will modify the semaphore to be used by the second master device (ie, logic 11), and will introduce The execution mode of the face device 26 is switched from the normal operation mode (D1) to the execution phase off mode (RTD3). Wherein, when the interface device 26 is switched to the execution phase off mode (RTD3), the first master device 22 continues to determine whether there is an access action, and if there is no access action (ie, no activity), the interface device 26 is maintained at The execution phase is off (RTD3), and if there are other access actions (ie, there are activities), the flow to the left of Figure 4 is entered.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, the state machine 50 of the present embodiment is applied to the second master device 24 of the above embodiment. First, when the second master device 24 is to access the interface device 26 (ie, there is activity), and the execution mode of the interface device 26 needs to be restored from the execution phase off mode (RTD3) to the normal operation mode (D0), Going to the flow on the left side of FIG. 5, the second master device 24 accesses the semaphore recorded in the register 268 of the interface device 26. Wherein, when the semaphore viewed is unattended (ie, logic 00) or used by the second master device (ie, logic 11), the second master device 24 modifies the semaphore to be used by the second master device ( That is, logic 11), so that the execution mode of the interface device 26 is returned from the execution phase off mode (RTD3) to the normal operation mode (D1) for data access; when the viewed semaphore is the first master device When the first master device 22 is used (ie, logic 01) or the second master device is used but the first master device is used preferentially (ie, logic 10), the first master device 22 is being used, and the first master device 22 is accessed. The priority is higher than the second master device 24, so the second master device 24 continues to view the semaphore until the first master device 22 stops accessing the interface device 26, and the semaphore of the interface device 26 is first controlled. When the device 22 is modified to be unattended (ie, logic 00), the second master device 24 modifies the semaphore to use by the second master device. (ie, logic 11), thereby reverting the execution mode of the interface device 26 from the execution phase off mode (RTD3) to the normal operation mode (D1) for data access. Wherein, when the interface device 26 returns to the normal operation mode (D0), and the second master device 24 performs data access, the second master device 24 continuously determines whether the access action is finished, if the access action is still If the activity is continued, the interface device 26 is maintained in the normal operation mode (D0); if the access operation is stopped, the flow proceeds to the right side of FIG.

When the second master device 24 stops accessing the interface device 26 (ie, there is no activity), and needs to switch the execution mode of the interface device 26 from the normal operation mode (D0) to the execution phase off mode (RTD3), it will enter FIG. 5. In the flow on the right, the second master device 24 accesses the semaphore recorded in the register 268 of the interface device 26. Wherein, when the semaphore viewed is unattended (ie, logic 00) or used by the first master device (ie, logic 01), the second master device 24 will execute the mode of operation of the interface device 26 from the normal operation mode (D0). Switching to the execution phase off mode (RTD3); when the flagged semaphore is used by the second master but the first master is used preferentially (ie logic 10) or the second master is used (ie logic 11) The second master device 24 modifies the semaphore to unattended (ie, logic 00), and switches the execution mode of the interface device 26 from the normal mode of operation (D1) to the execution phase off mode (RTD3). Wherein, when the control interface device 26 is switched to the execution phase off mode (RTD3), the second master device 24 continues to determine whether there is an access action, and if there is no access action (ie, no activity), the interface device 26 is maintained. In the execution phase off mode (RTD3), and if there are other access actions (ie there is activity), then enter the flow on the left side of Figure 5. Cheng.

According to the above system and method, the first master device 22 and the second master device 24 can determine how to switch the execution mode of the interface device 26 according to the access actions of the interface device 26 to each other, thereby achieving the support double of the present invention. The main control device accesses the same interface device and saves power.

It should be noted that, in the above embodiment, only one interface device 26 is connected in series between the first main control device 22 and the second main control device 24. In other embodiments, a plurality of interface devices may be serially connected between the first main control device 22 and the second main control device 24, and the first main control device 22 and the second main control device 24 also adopt the foregoing access. These interface devices are accessed in the same manner as the interface device 26.

In addition, the transmission interface used to serially connect the first main control device 22, the second main control device 24, and the interface device 26 in the above embodiment is, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) 3.0 interface or a Thunderbolt (Thunderbolt). )interface. If the lightning interface is used for serial connection, the present invention can further use the two data transmission channels of the lightning interface to transmit data, so that the first main control device 22, the second main control device 24 and the interface device 26 can support two channels. Data transfer. The following is a detailed description of an embodiment.

Second embodiment

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system for supporting a dual master device access interface device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, the system 60 of the present embodiment includes a first main control device 62, a second main control device 64, and a daisy chain connection between the first main control device 62 and the second main control device. Interface device 66 between 64.

The first main control device 62 and the second main control device 64 are, for example, terminal devices such as desktop computers, notebook computers, workstations, etc., which are connected to the interface device 66 via a Thunderbolt interface supporting dual channel data transmission, for example. To access the data on the interface device 66. The controller 622 of the first main control device 62 is, for example, a lightning controller that supports dual channel data transmission, and the data transmitted on the first channel and the second channel can be processed through the interface 624. The controller 642 of the second master device 64 is, for example, a lightning controller that supports 4-channel data transmission, and the data transmitted on the first channel and the second channel can be processed through the interfaces 埠644, 646, respectively.

The interface device 66 is, for example, a graphics processing device, a display device, a storage device, a programming device, or other types of peripheral devices, including a controller 662 that supports 4-channel data transmission, interfaces 664, 666, and a temporary register 668. For example, the controller 662 is connected to the interface 埠 624 of the first main control device 62 and the interfaces 644 and 646 of the second main control device 64 through the interfaces 664 and 666, respectively, and is transparent to the interface 埠664, 666 and the A master device 62 and a second master device 64 transmit data. The register 668 is used, for example, to record semaphores, which can be accessed by the first master device 62 and the second master device 64 for controlling and accessing the interface device 66.

It should be noted that the present invention can further design an interface device using a lightning interface in series to process only one channel of data, and directly bypass the data of another channel. The interface device can be divided into two categories, wherein the first type of interface device is adapted to transmit data using the first channel of the lightning interface, and the second type of interface device is adapted to use the second interface of the lightning interface. Channel transfer data. The following is a detailed description of an embodiment.

Third embodiment

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a system for supporting a dual master access interface device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the system 70 of the present embodiment includes a first main control device 72, a first type of interface device 76, a second type of interface device 78, and a second main control device 74, which are serially connected in a daisy chain manner. The functions are as follows: the first main control device 72 and the second main control device 74 are, for example, terminal devices such as a desktop computer, a notebook computer, and a workstation, for example, via a lightning interface and an interface device that support dual channel data transmission. 76, 78 are connected in series to access the data on the interface devices 76, 78.

The first master device 72 includes a controller 722 and an interface 724. The controller 722 is, for example, a lightning controller that supports dual channel data transmission, and the data transmitted on the first channel and the second channel can be processed through the interface 724.

The second master device 74 includes a controller 742, interfaces 744, 746, and a multiplexer 748. The controller 742 is, for example, a lightning controller that supports dual-channel data transmission, and can process data transmitted on the first channel and the second channel through the interfaces 744 and 746, respectively. The multiplexer 748 is disposed between the controller 742 and the interfaces 744, 746, which can switch the data routing between the controller 742 and the interfaces 744, 746 according to the control of the controller 742.

The first type of interface device 76 is, for example, a graphics processing device that uses a lightning interface to transmit data, a display device, a storage device, a burning device, or other weeks. The edge device has a controller 762, interfaces 764, 766. The controller 762 is connected to the interface 764 and the interface 766 to process the data of the first channel, and the interface 766 is connected to the interface 764 to transmit the data of the second channel.

The second type of interface device 78 can also be a graphics processing device, a display device, a storage device, a burning device, or other peripheral device that transmits data using a lightning interface, and has a controller 782 and interfaces 784, 786. The controller 782 is connected to the interface 784, 786 to process the data of the second channel, and the interface 786 is connected to the interface 784 to transmit the data of the first channel.

Since the first type interface device 76 and the second type interface device 78 only need to process data of one data transmission channel, the controllers 762 and 782 only need to adopt a lightning controller that supports dual channel data transmission, thereby reducing the The production cost of the interface device.

It should be noted that the second main control device 74 can serve as a cloud server to provide a first type of interface device 76 and a second type of interface device 78 connected to each other by an external device (not shown). Access data. The second main control unit 74 further includes a communication module (not shown) connected to the controller 742 for establishing a communication link between the second main control unit 74 and the external device to receive the external portion. The device has data access requirements for the first type of interface device 76 and the second type of interface device 78. The communication module is, for example, a wireless transceiver supporting a wireless communication standard such as 802.11n/b/g of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which can provide the second master device 74 through the wireless The way to establish a network connection with an external device. This communication module is also available Therefore, it is a network card that supports wired network connection. There is no limit here.

When the controller 742 of the second master device 74 receives the data access request of the external device for the first type of interface device 76, the control signal to the multiplexer 748 is output to control the multiplexer 748 to control the controller. 742 is coupled to interfaces 744 and 746 to process the data of the first channel, and interface 744 is coupled to interface 746 to transmit the data of the second channel.

On the other hand, when the controller 742 of the second master device 74 receives the data access request for the second type of interface device 78, the control signal to the multiplexer 748 is output to control the multiplexer 748 to control the controller. 742 is coupled to interfaces 744 and 746 to process the data of the second channel, and the interface 744 is coupled to interface 746 to transmit the data of the first channel.

In particular, controller 742, for example, inputs control signal XY to multiplexer 748 to control multiplexer 748 to switch data routing. The contacts A and B of the multiplexer 748 are respectively connected to the controller 742 as a transmission path of the single channel data access controller 742, and the contacts C and D are respectively connected to the interface 744 as the first channel and the second. For the transmission path of the channel data, the contacts E and F respectively connect the interface 746 to serve as the transmission path of the second channel and the first channel data.

Table 1 below is a control list of the multiplexer 748. Wherein, when the control signal XY output by the controller 742 is 00, the multiplexer 748 enters a bypass mode, and connects the contact C to the contact F, so that the data of the first channel can directly pass through the multiplexer 748. Transfer to the next lightning device without entering the controller 742; when the control signal XY output by the controller 742 is 01, the multiplexer 748 enters the first channel mode, and connects the contact A to Contact C, and connecting the contact B to the contact F, so that the data of the first channel can be transmitted to the controller 742 for processing; when the control signal XY output by the controller 742 is 10, the multiplexer 748 enters The second channel mode, while connecting the contact A to the contact D and connecting the contact B to the contact E, allows the data of the second channel to be transmitted to the controller 742 for processing.

With the above system architecture, the second master device 74 can be configured to switch between the two channels to transfer data with the first type interface device 76 or the second type interface device 78 according to different data access requirements. If the power management method in the first embodiment is applied, the second master device 74 can also be recorded by the register 768 of the first type interface device 76 and the register 788 of the second type interface device 78. Knowing its current execution mode, it is coordinated with the first master device 72 to access the data on the first type of interface device 76 and the second type of interface device 78, thereby achieving the same support for the dual master device access of the present invention. Interface device and power saving. The manner in which the second main control device 74 and the first main control device 72 coordinate the access to the interface device data is the same as or similar to the second main control device 24 in the first embodiment, so that The details are not described here.

In summary, the system for supporting the dual master device access interface device and the power management method thereof according to the present invention record the current state of use on the interface device, and whenever there is a master device to access the interface device, According to the semaphore, whether to close the data connection between the interface device and another main control device, thereby accessing the data of the interface device; and when the access is completed, the control interface device enters the execution phase shutdown mode to save power. Thereby, the present invention can not only support the dual master device to access the same interface device, but also achieve power saving effect.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

10‧‧‧Control platform

12‧‧‧ Platform Control Unit

14‧‧‧Controlled device

16, 18‧‧ ‧ switch

20, 60, 70‧‧‧ systems

22, 62, 72‧‧‧ first main control device

222, 242, 262, 622, 642, 662, 722, 742, 762, 782 ‧ ‧ controller

224, 244, 246, 264, 266, 624, 644, 646, 664, 666, 724, 744, 746, 764, 766, 784, 786 ‧ ‧ interface 埠

24, 64, 74‧‧‧ second master

26, 66‧‧‧ interface device

268, 668, 768, 788‧‧ ‧ register

40, 50‧‧‧ state machine

748‧‧‧Multiplexer

76‧‧‧First type interface device

78‧‧‧Second type interface device

S302~S304‧‧‧ steps of a power management method for a system supporting a dual master device access interface device according to a first embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a control platform for performing an execution phase shutdown according to an embodiment of the invention.

2 is a block diagram of a system for supporting a dual master access interface device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flow chart of a power management method for a system for supporting a dual master device access interface device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic diagram of a state machine of a first main control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a state machine of a second main control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system for supporting a dual master device access interface device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a system for supporting a dual master access interface device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

20‧‧‧ system

22‧‧‧First master device

222, 242, 262‧ ‧ controller

224, 244, 246, 264, 266‧ ‧ interface 埠

24‧‧‧Second master

26‧‧‧Interface device

268‧‧‧ 存存器

Claims (15)

A system for supporting a dual master device access interface device, comprising: a first master device; a second master device; and at least one interface device connected in series with the first master device in a daisy chain manner Between the second master devices, each of the interface devices includes a register for recording a semaphore, wherein one of the first master device and the second master device accesses When the interface device is described, the semaphore recorded in the register of each interface device is inspected, thereby closing between the other of the first main control device and the second main control device and the interface device And a data link, and returning an execution mode of the interface device to a normal operation mode for data access. The system for supporting a dual-master device access interface device according to claim 1, wherein the semaphore is modified when the first master device or the second master device stops accessing the interface device It is unattended and switches an execution mode of the interface device to an execution phase shutdown (runtime D3) mode. The system for supporting a dual-master device access interface device according to claim 2, wherein when the first master device accesses the interface device and the semaphore viewed is unattended, the The semaphore is used by the first master device and restores the execution mode of the interface device to a normal mode of operation for data access to the interface device. Supporting dual-master devices as described in item 2 of the patent application scope a system for taking an interface device, wherein when the second master device is to access the interface device and the semaphore viewed is unattended, the semaphore is modified to be used by the second master device, and the interface device is The execution mode reverts to a normal mode of operation for data access to the interface device. The system for supporting a dual master access interface device according to claim 1, wherein an access priority of the first master device is higher than the second master device. The system for supporting a dual-master device access interface device according to claim 5, wherein when the first master device accesses the interface device and the semaphore viewed is used by the second master device Modifying the semaphore to force the use of the first master device to close the data link between the second master device and the interface device, and modifying the semaphore as the first master after the data link is closed The control device is used to access data of the interface device. The system for supporting a dual-master device access interface device according to claim 5, wherein when the second master device accesses the interface device and the semaphore viewed is used by the first master device At the same time, data access to the interface device is stopped. The system for supporting a dual-master device access interface device according to claim 1, wherein the first master device is connected to the interface device via a transmission interface supporting dual-channel data transmission, and is transparently transmitted through the interface device. The first channel and the second channel provided by the transmission interface transmit data; wherein the interface device comprises: a first type of interface device adapted to use the first channel to transmit data; And the second type of interface device is adapted to use the second channel to transmit data; wherein the second host device is serially connected to the first type of interface device and the second type of interface device via the transmission interface, and according to a data Accessing a request, switching a data route between the first type interface device and the second type interface device to transmit data through the first channel and the first type interface device, or through the second The channel transmits data to the second type of interface device. A power management method for a system supporting a dual master access interface device is applicable to a system including a first master device, at least one interface device, and a second master device in a daisy chain manner Each of the interface devices includes a register for recording a semaphore, the method comprising the steps of: when one of the first master device and the second master device is to access the interface device, Viewing the semaphore recorded in the register of each of the interface devices, thereby closing a data link between the other of the first master device and the second master device and the interface device, And returning an execution mode of the interface device to a normal operation mode for data access; and modifying the semaphore when the first master device or the second master device stops accessing the interface device For no-use, the execution mode of the interface device is switched to an execution phase off mode. The power management method for a system for supporting a dual-master device access interface device according to claim 9, wherein the first master device accesses the interface device and the semaphore viewed is unattended. Time, repair The semaphore is changed for use by the first master device, and the execution mode of the interface device is returned to the normal mode of operation for data access to the interface device. The power management method for a system for supporting a dual-master device access interface device according to claim 9, wherein the second master device accesses the interface device and the semaphore viewed is unattended. The semaphore is modified for use by the second master device, and the execution mode of the interface device is returned to the normal mode of operation for data access to the interface device. The power management method for a system for supporting a dual master device access interface device according to claim 9, wherein an access priority of the first master device is higher than the second master device. The power management method for a system for supporting a dual master device access interface device according to claim 12, wherein when the first master device accesses the interface device and the semaphore viewed is second When the main control device is used, the semaphore is modified to be used by the first main control device to close the data link between the second main control device and the interface device, and the semaphore is modified after the data link is closed. Used by the first master device to access data of the interface device. The power management method for a system for supporting a dual-master device access interface device according to claim 12, wherein the second master device accesses the interface device and the semaphore viewed is first When the main control device is in use, the data access to the interface device is stopped. Supporting dual-master device storage as described in item 9 of the patent application scope The power management method of the system of the interface device, wherein the first master device is connected in series with the interface device via a transmission interface supporting dual channel data transmission, and a first channel and a channel provided through the transmission interface The second channel transmits data; wherein the second master device switches a data route between the first interface device and the at least one second type interface device in the interface device according to a data access requirement, Transmitting data through the first channel and the first type of interface device, or transmitting data through the second channel and the second type of interface device, wherein the first type of interface device is adapted to use the first channel The data is transmitted, and the second type of interface device is adapted to transmit data using the second channel.